The son of Jeremiah "Jerry" Pierce and Sarah Kate Wilson, Jerry "Junior" was born in Leakesville, MS on May 2, 1904.His father had been previously married to Nancy Owens and Jerry had two half brothers and two half sisters as well as one full brother Roosevelt "Toby" Pierce.

Jerry married Mamie Elizabeth Gartman in Leakesville, MS on March 6, 1930. They had seven children:Jerry Miles PierceJoyce Estelle (Riordan)Jeraline Jeannette (Martin)Bobby Jean PierceBetty Jo (Shadrach)Carolyn Viola (Walker)Katie Marie (Grantham)He and Mamie also raised their grand-daughter Donna Kaye Grantham after Katie was killed in an accident in 1971.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother and two daughters Joyce and Katie.